Window operator construction



Nov. 7, 1950 M. GZUPKAYTH I 2,52

WINDOW OPERATOR CONSTRUCTION Filed March 22, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 7, 1950 M. GZUPKAYTII 2,528,953

wmnow OPERATOR CONSTRUCTION Filed March 22, 1949 s Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTO R N EYS Nov. 7, 1950 Filed March 22, 1949 M. GZUPKAYTll WINDOW OPERATOR CONSTRUCTION 3Sheets-Sheet 3 E1 5 1E. INVENTOR.

Patented Nov. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,528,953. WINDOW OPERATOR CONSTRUCTION Matt Gzupkaytii, Miami, Fla,

Application March 22, 1949, Serial No. 82,723.

3 Claims.

This invention relates to Window constructions for residential, commercial or industrial structures and more particularly to a device comprising one or more sash, arranged in a vertical series if a plurality of-sash are employed, the sash being pivoted for angular movement about a horizontal axis or axes, and adapted to be actuated automatically to closed position during a rainfall, and to be automatically opened again after the rain has ceased. Another feature of the present invention provides for manuall operated mechanical actuating means for the sash, together with clutch means for selectively engaging and disengaging such actuating means from the sash, so that the latter may be conditioned either for manual or automatic operation as desired.

It has been proposed heretofore to adapt window sash for actuation to a closed position by employing the weight of accumulated rain water, but such previous proposals have been impractical in design and construction, and have not gone into use. Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a rainoperated wind-ow which is essentially conventional in appearance yet is adapted for automatic operation in a very simple and practical manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a window of the type described, in combination with manually operated mechanical actuating means including a, clutch device, whereby the sash may be mechanically actuatedor, in the alternative, released from the mechanical actuating mechanism so as to be fully automatic in operation.

Another object of the invention is to. provide a construction in which a plurality of sash, of the type described, are arranged in vertical series and interconnected in such a way that all sash of the series may be actuated by manual operation of a single crank or equivalent device.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the description which follows, read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a vertical series of three sash, constructed according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical section on line 2-2 of Fi u 1;.

Figure 2a is a vertical section illustrating the manner of seating of the lower member of each sash against the upper member of the next lower sash.

Figure 2b is a vertical section illustrating in detail the construct on f a portion of the upper horizontal member of each sash.

Figure 3- is a partial vertical section on line 374i of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detailed-view, in per spective and exploded, of the mechanicalactuating means;

Figure 5 is a. horizontal section on line 5.-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6. is a vertical section on line 6-.6 of F ure 1;

Figure 7 is a vertical; section n line l l of Figure 2;; 1

Figure 8 is anenlargeddetailed view, in section, of 3 portion of the clutching mechanism;

Figure 9 is a front elevational view illustrating'a modification of the invention;

Figure 10 is a side elevation corresponding to F ur 9;

Figure 11 is a horizontal section on line I l.-|f| of Figure 10,; and

Figure 12- illustrates a modification of an element of the linkageillustrated in- Figure 10.

In order to facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made to the embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptive language is employed. It will nevertheless be understood'that no limitation ofithe invention is thereby intended and that various changes and alterations are contemplated suchas would ordinarily occurto one skilled: in theartcto which the invention; relates.

Referring to, Figures 1 and 2', the-invention comprises generally a window frame consisting of vertical members l0 and H, top member l2 and bottom member or sill I3, and a plurality of sash l4 mounted therein. Each of the sash 1:4 is preferably rectangular in shape and also comprises vertical side members 15 and l6,'a top member [.1 and a bottom member E87. Bot-h window frame and sash are preferably constructed of metal, such as sheet steel or aluminum, the several members being joined together by bolting or welding, or in any other suitable or conventional manner. The top member of each sash is formed with an upstanding flange I9 extending laterally throughout the length of its rearward upper edge, the said flange of the uppermost member being adapted to seat against the rearwardly directed surface of the top member l2 of the frame, and the said flanges of the remaining sash being adapted to provide seats for the lower members 18- of the next higher sash. As seen in Figure 2b the flange i9 of the upper horizontal "member of each sash is provided with a resilient metal Weatherstrip l9 and the bottom member I8 of each sash is formed with a recess [8 extending across its lower inner corner to accommodate the flange 9 and Weatherstrip l9 in seating against the next lower sash.

Conveniently, the bottom, top and side members of the respective sash are made hollow to minimize the weight of the sash and to conserve metal and decrease the cost thereof, but the side and upper members may, if desired, be of wooden or other solid construction. The lower member l8, however, is made of hollow construction for reasons set forth below. All of the structural members of the sash are preferably provided with approximately centrally located grooves extending longitudinally thereof for the reception of a pane of glass 20, which is secured in the socket thus provided by means of putty,

cement, rubber molding strips, or in any suitable manner. The pane is, of course, secured in place during assembly of the sash since, in the present construction, the pane may not be put in position after the structural members are assembled together.

Each of the sash I4 is provided near the upper ends of its respective side members I5 and I6, and secured to the inward surface thereof, with an arm or lever 2| which is bolted or otherwise secured to the sash member and, slightly above the top surface of each sash member, with a laterally extending pivot 22 (Figure '7) by means ofwh ch the sash is pivotally mounted in sockets provided in the adjacent frame members ID, IL The inwardly extending end of each arm 2| is pivotally connected to a vertical series of links 23, which are conveniently connected together by means of the same pivot pins by which the arms 2| are connected thereto. The lowermost link 23 is'pivotally connected to arms 24a and 241) secured upon a horizontal shaft 25 extending transversely of the window frame adjacent the sill and mounted, at one end, in a bearing provided in a block 26 secured to the adjacent side frame member and, at the other end, supported in a bearing formed centrally of the worm wheel 21. right in Figure 3 by means of spring 28.

The worm wheel 2'! is mounted on a trunnion 29 formed on the back plate 3|] of a' casing 3| bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the side frame member II, the adjacent end of the shaft 5 extending through an aperture in the back plate 39 and being rounded as at 32. Interposed between the end 32 of the shaft 5, and theadjaoent side frame member H, is a clutch operating member 33 (Figure 5) provided with a circular recess 34 having inclined sides, for receiving the end 32 of the shaft when the latter isto be mechanically actuated. The clutch actuating member 33 is provided with a slot 35 in which is engaged a headed stud 36 secured in the adjacent side frame member, the member 33 being thus operable toward and away from the sash so as to cam the shaft 5 to the left, or permit it to move to the right under the pressure of the spring 28.

As best seen in Figure 4, the arm 2411 at that end of the shaft adjacent the worm wheel 2! is provided with two studs or projections 37 adapted to engage in complementary sockets 38, preferably four in number, formed in the projecting end of the worm wheel 27. The latter is retained in the casing 3| by means of an annular flange 39 formed on the outer end of the worm wheel and adapted to be retained in oper ative position by means of a strap 40 secured to the adjacent wall of the casing 3|.

When the studs 31 are within a diametrically The shaft 25 is biased toward the 4 opposed pair of sockets 38 of the worm wheel 21, the arm 24a is, of course, operatively connected with the worm wheel whereas, when the shaft 5 is moved to the left as by actuation of the clutch operating member 33, the studs 31 are withdrawn from the sockets 38 and the arm 24a, shaft 5, and connected linkage are disconnected from the worm wheel 21.

The worm wheel 21 is in mesh with a worm 4| secured upon the shaft 42, the outer end of which is provided with a crank 43 for manual operation, the shaft 42 being journalled in any suitable manner in the casing 3|.

Referring now to Figure 2, it will be seen that, when the linkage comprising the arms 2| and links 23 is disconnected from the mechanical actuating means, as described, it serves as a counterbalance for the sash l4 and will cause them, through the action of gravity, to assume an inclined position, for example as illustrated in Figure 2. The inclination of the arms 2|, and the weights of the sash on the one hand and linkage on the other hand, may be designed so that the sash will be balanced in the desired inclined position. Also, if desired, the construetion ma be so designed that the lower end of the lowermost link 23 will engage the'sill I3 to provide a stop for the opening movementsof the sash.

As best seen in Figure 6, the lower member |8 of each sash is made hollow, and is provided with apertures 44 in that portion of its upper side which lies on that side. of the pane 28 which is outside the building. One or more smaller apertures 45 are formed in the lower part ,of the member t8, the total area of the aperture or apertures 44 being in excess of the total area of the aperture or aperturesa, Thus, when the sash are declutched from the mechanical "actuating means, and are in an inclined position such as illustrated in broken lines in Figure 2, if rain commences to fall, the dropsfalling upon the panes 28 of the respective sash will be collected within the hollow interior of the bottom members 8, andas the weight of the collected water increases, the sash Will be caused to swing downwardly about the pivots 22 to a closed or nearly closed position, the counterbalancing weight of the linkage 2|, 23 being overcome by the increased weight of the lower sash members.

The Water collected within the bottom sash members l8 will, of course, escape slowly through the apertures 45, but at such a rate that the water will not be completely discharged. from the members I8 until the rainfall has diminished to such an extent that itis again permissible for the sash to assume their open or inclined positions.

On the other hand, when automatic operation is not desired, the clutch operating member 33 is pushed toward the sash permitting the shaft 5 to move to the right into the socket 34 and engaging the clutch 3?, 38, enabling the entire series of sash to be manually operated through the medium of the crank 43. 1

From the foregoing description it will be .appreciated that the invention provides a simple and inexpensive automatic window construction, together with declutchable mechanical actuating means, either automatic or manual operation being adapted to control any reasonable number of sash arranged in .a vertical series. a

The modification illustrated in Figures9-1l differs from that heretofore described in that the vertical series of sash is divided into two roups 50 and the sash of each group being interconnected by means of a linkage 52, 53, repe ctively, and being operable by means of separate actuators 54 and 55. As in the previous case, the actuators are clutch-connected .to the linkages, so that each group of sash may be operated either manually or automatically, as desired, and independently of the other group. This arrangement is advantageous in that it permits one group of sash to be opened and the other to be kept closed, when desired, the open group being adapted either for automatic or for manual actuation.

Another feature illustrated in Figures 9-11 consists in arranging the linkages 52 and 53 laterally outside of the window frame or window opening proper and between the outer and inner wall flanges of the window frame so that they will be concealed when the structure is incorporated in a building. The construction and operation of the linkages is essentially the same as in the case of Figures 1-8, inclusive, except that each sash 59, 5| is connected with its operating arm 56 through the intermediary of a spindle 57 which extends through and between the opposite vertical members of the window frame, the sash being secured to the spindles 5'1 by means of. brackets 58. If desired, the straight arm 56 illustrated in Figure 12 may be substituted for the arms 56 of Figure 10.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a window device, a window frame, a sash pivotally supported in said frame for angular movement about a horizontal axis, said sash including a hollow bottom member adapted to receive rain water therein and having at least one escape aperture in its bottom portion, the area open for the reception of water at the top of said member exceeding the area of said escape aperture, counterbalance means associated with said sash and normally balancing said sash in an inclined position relative to said frame, and crank operated mechanism for moving said sash about said axis, including manually controlled clutch means between said crank and said sash for selectively operatively connecting and disconnecting the same.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, said crank operated mechanism including a shaft, a lever on said shaft and operatively connected to said sash, a worm wheel, a worm meshing with said Worm wheel and operatively. connected with said crank, and clutch means for selectively engaging and disengaging said worm Wheel and said lever.

3.-The combination defined in claim 2, clutch means comprising manually operable means for moving said shaft endwise for engaging and disengaging said worm wheel and lever.

MATT GZUPKAYTIK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Germany Oct. 1, i308 

